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Sharjah’s Al Wahda Street to be closed for two years

SHARJAH - The ordeal of motorists in Sharjah is expected to increase manifold with the busy Al Wahda Street being closed for traffic for two years from August 15.

The street will remain closed from the Al Falah Plaza near the King Faisal Bridge up to the Culture Roundabout.

One of the busiest roads in Sharjah, this part of the Al Wahda Street will remain closed till 2010 to pave way for the the second phase of the largest road network expansion project in the emirate, officials said.

Shaikh Khalid bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Director-General of the Sharjah Public Works Department, said the road section is being closed for the construction of two hanging bridges in Abu Shagara area and one in Al Tabaq Al Tayer roundabout, in addition to a tunnel to replace the Culture Roundabout to ensure efficient traffic movement.

The Al Wahda Road project started in March 2006 and is being built at a total cost of Dh2.1 billion. The project is expected to be completed by 2010.

Al Qasimi said the project is being undertaken under the instruction of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The Public Works Department is making necessary efforts to improve the infrastructure and public premises which meet the high international standards.

Asked how they will manage the traffic chaos, Al Qasimi said the department has a comprehensive plan to complete the project without disturbing the traffic flow by charting temporary intersections and safe detours to avoid congestion during the closure period.

Motorists are advised to take alternative roads and follow the road diversions being put in place, he said.

As part of the Al Wahda Road project, many internal roads have been paved. The works that have been carried out in the past six months include the conversion of nine roundabouts into traffic signal-controlled intersections.

Despite the assurances, motorists are worried. They say once people who have abroad on vacation come back, the Sharjah traffic will be a nightmare. Shashank Nair, a motorist, said, "I take 30 minutes to cross the stretch from the King Faisal Road to Cultural Roundabout now. Once this section is closed, my drive will stretch over several hours.

Another motorist also voiced similar opinion, saying the authorities must resorted to partial closure of the lanes for the construction as being done in the neighbouring emirate of Dubai.

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